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Panama border officials want to see $500 Panama border officials want to see $500
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Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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Exactly the same shit happens for us at every US border or airport .
If in Panama you blame it on the idiocy of 3rd world minds , what do you call it on the borders and airports up north ???
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  #2  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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Guaterider is right, of course, and I'd think any traveler should be able to keep this in perspective.
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  #3  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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except that determination is usually made long before you reach the border, since the US has such ridiculous visa requirements.
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  #4  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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guaterider
Do you have to show solvency the same way and in what amount when entering other countrys at the borders or just the states. Being from up here I am totally nieve about it.
Bill
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  #5  
Old 22 Oct 2013
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First we have to show all kind of proof of economic solvency when we apply for the visa : bank statements , credit card , real estate, vehicles,business,job,income, ...
It takes 60 min to fill out the online application and then it takes 3-4 hours at the embassy for the interrogation . And it costs US$140.00 aprox

At the entry point of the 2 northern countries (US and Canada) it always depends on the officer . Usually at the airports we are asked only to show a return ticket . Last year when I crossed into the US on my bike , I was asked a lot of questions and I was required to show how I will pay for my stay in the US.

And of course after all this , our picture and fingerprints are taken every single time that we enter the US .

Last week I flew into Houston and it took me over 1 hour just to get through the passport control .


So basically borders are always a pain in the butt and the only difference between north and south is that we have much more borders down here

PS: Usually the Canadian border crossing is much easier as the US border and the Canadian officers are friendly
Last edited by guaterider; 22 Oct 2013 at 22:45. Reason: just added the last line
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  #6  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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We ran into some US ex-pats in David who had been living in Panama for the last 11 years. They have two kids, both Panamanian by birth, but because they themselves weren't citizens yet, they had to drive to the border every 3 months to renew their vehicle import permit, and every 6 months to renew their visa.

They've been doing this for the last 11 years and this was the first time they were ever required to show both economic solvency *AND* a return ticket back to the US. Needless to say, they had neither, so had to leave the border empty-handed. They were going to get bank statements, and buy a refundable plane ticket back to the US (where they have had no residence for over a decade), and then cancel the ticket after they got their visa extended.

They told us the rules change all the time, sometimes the visa extension period is 6 months, sometimes 4, sometimes longer. There was a new government elected last year and they are now changing all the border rules. They think this new requirement is a tit-for-tat for the US/Canada economic solvency hassle they put Panamanians through (and other Central Americans - as per Guaterider's post). They don't think it will last though...
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  #7  
Old 23 Oct 2013
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11 years living in the country and never got residency? that smacks of just asking to be hassled...
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  #8  
Old 22 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by guaterider View Post
Exactly the same shit happens for us at every US border or airport .
If in Panama you blame it on the idiocy of 3rd world minds , what do you call it on the borders and airports up north ???
True that brother.

While visa hoping in and out of Nicaragua and CR just showing them my motorcycle log book has been enough. CR and Panama the same.

Walkovers I have been with, have been asked for proof of onward travel, but not always. There are a lot of expat visa-runners in CA and the local authorities are well within there rights to enforce border protection/immigration rules.

That said, I have never been required to prove any financial means or been required to wait the mandatory 72 hours before returning to the neighbouring country.

I believe its important how you present yourself to the immigration officer, profiling does happen, and while you may relish the rough n ready "man/women of adventure look" you have carefully cultivated, they (may) just see another drop-out. The locals take a lot of pride in their appearance.

If you are planning to give something back in these countries, most organisations will happily supply you a constancia - official letter recognising you as a volunteer etc. In my experience these work wonders at borders.

Andrew
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  #9  
Old 9 Dec 2013
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Solvency
Years ago I spent some time in Thailand and had the same visa renewal hassle along with the economic solvency hassle. I learned to solve it by buying travelers checks when flush with cash, then immediately reporting them stolen to American Express. Amex would quickly issue replacements, which I immediately cashed. The 'lost' travellers checks could be used at the Thai/Malasian border to show solvency.
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